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To the ghouls that inhabit the dark, this Halloween is the release of Dirt Factory’s second single on Brisbane based music label, Viral Records, called “Violence”.

This release contains the title track plus three remixes by various artists, of the same title track.

DIRT FACTORY

Riots anyone? When people have no other avenue of having a voice against the forces of oppression, protest is the last choice. This punk attitude of ‘fuck the system…detonation‘ is all pervasive.

A litany of cause and effect is gravelled out by Allen with robotic style, that is still very angst ridden. As always, there is the hints of KMFDM and Skinny Puppy being a big influence on Allen and Gillman.

The 11 Grams remix is a bit more sleazy sounding as they seem to have made Daniel’s vocals almost lascivious. It has the very futuristic finger prints of 11 Grams all over this and it’s wonderful.

The next remix is by Z Cluster from Sydney. It’s like listening to crunchy trap with periods of creepy clarity due to the vocals being kept more sedate but with a disturbing, higher pitched electronic scream emitting over all.

Last remix is by Brisbane act, Dreams Of Machines (aka Zane Seymour). This is almost old school industrial sounding with the distorted vocals and oppressive drone that makes “Violence” spine tingling. Slower to take off, but when it does, it has a definite nod to Leæther Strip.

DIRT FACTORY – DANIEL ALLEN & MICHAEL GILLMAN

It’s hard to believe these are all the same song and yet at the heart is this one Dirt Factory number. From the original to each mix, are equally enjoyable and nothing feels staid.

This, almost, completely Australian effort does show the strength and talent of the industrial scene in the country with Rob Early of 11 Grams an honorary Aussie by default.

Another great track from Dirt Factory which has us asking, where is the album? If current standard is an indication, it’s going to be a cracker. An industrial single in this dystopian world climate, “Violence” from Dirt Factory.

https://dirtfactory.bandcamp.com/

https://m.facebook.com/FactoryOfDirt/?ref=py_c

https://dirtfactory.wixsite.com/mysite

https://viralrecordsau.bandcamp.com/

https://viralrecords.com.au/

https://m.facebook.com/viralrecordsau/

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Brixton Alley are three lads, Alex, Ben and Jonny, from the UK, who somehow ended up in Brisbane, Australia. This punk/pop/rap fusion band also released this year a new EP called, “Nevermore“.

Alex Wells is the drummer for the band with his brother, Ben Wells, playing bass and contributing backing vocals, as well as Jonny Magro as lead singer and on guitar.

BRIXTON ALLEY

There are vibrant highs, through to staccato vocal punctuations in the first track, “Headache“. The frustration of finding work and trying to escape the hometown/village and its sad populace, in order to find something better.

The guitars sing out to you in “Voices” and it is a bit of an indie pop anthem to the youth of the day… the daily struggle with moments of beauty. The girl in the song might be hearing voices but maybe we need to hear those inner voices.

The brit pop influenced guitar lines bring us “Owl“. This is a cheeky observation on men out on the town, ogling girls to the point, their heads swivel around like the feathered night predators, as they greedily look for pretty prey. This has a really nice, catchy hook which you will hear in your head after the song has finished.

“Animals” has a reggae sensibility with rap incursions. It is feels joyous and yet laments that we have forgotten our primal instincts. A good laid back rock number.

BRIXTON ALLEY

The acoustic beginning of “Outsider” shows a slower and more romantic piece. This is a modern ode to love, including cigarettes and a can of cider. This is laconic and slightly darker that it admits to, with the pleads to over look mental struggles.

The tunes are fun to listen to and yet are observations on modern existence in this age of excess. In some ways they remind me of one of my favourite post punk bands, New Model Army, with their swagger and revelations. It’s all about the journey, so it might be time time join Brixton Alley and have a listen to Nevermore.

https://m.facebook.com/brixtonalleyband/

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When one has been the keyboard player and backing vocalist for the iconic Chris Corner and his band, IAMX, it seems a logical progression to look at a solo career. We are talking about Sammi Doll and her debut solo single, “AN OM IE“.

The single was released this month on multiple platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer as well as a very slick video on YouTube.

‘You are the enemy‘ is the line that sums up the intent of this track. Love gone wrong and the pain that follows, which will either break you, make you stronger or twist you into a unrecognisable creature.

I hear hints of Birthday Massacre in the beginning, especially vocally. There is a great balance of thoughtful moments and a powerful chorus. The guitars blend in seamlessly with the synths and overall this has a great pop sensibility to it with back bone.

SAMMI DOLL

Originally from the UK, Sammi has been working hard on her musical career in the US, honing her skills with the projects of other musicians. “AN OM IE“, originally titled “ENEMY“, was co-written with Sean and Juliette Beavan and this is industrial rock with the feminine touch of Sammi Doll.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSammiDoll/

https://music.apple.com/au/album/1531996944?uo=4&app=music&at=1l3vpUI&lId=22323335&cId=none&sr=1&src=Linkfire&itscg=30440&itsct=catchall_p1&ct=LFV_b31a6fb61d03192340891c0fb88cdcf1
https://www.deezer.com/en/album/174170552?app_id=140685&utm_campaign=b31a6fb61d03192340891c0fb88cdcf1&utm_content=album-174170552&utm_medium=Original&utm_source=partner_linkfire&utm_term=objective-stream&deferredFl=1

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You may or may not have heard of unsigned, industrial act Corvax. Based in London, but hailing from Wales, David Marvelly is the man behind Corvax and his second EP release, Talk To The Man.

With four tracks, we step off with “Pills” which feel a bit like listening to early Trent Reznor, when he was young and angst ridden. This is clanking industrial with twinkling wisps of synthesisers. Mavelly will quietly tell you he doesn’t want to feel anything any more, then threaten you wanting to take the pills.

Title track, “Talk To The Man” is far more smooth and slicker. This is also the single with its groovy electric guitar and obviously influenced by Mike Patton. Over all has a very oppressive and claustrophobic feel.

“Good” makes me think Einstürzende Neubauten with the low dark vocals and percussion lead instrumentation that wanders into different styles and back again.

CORVAX – DAVID MARVELLY

Last track is a fifty-one second vignette called “Failure“, featuring the lovely vocals of Maella, accompanied by acoustic guitar and bursts of wind like electric noise.

This isn’t the longest of EPs but makes up for it in experimentation, leading to some pretty cool sounds and following in the footsteps of some rather big names. Go check out, up and coming artist, Corvax with his Talk To The Man.

https://corvaxofficial.bandcamp.com/album/talk-to-the-man

https://m.facebook.com/CorvaxMusic/?_rdr

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11 Grams have finally released their second album, Humanicide, which was pushed back due to COVID-19 rearing its ugly head and hitting Italy hard earlier this year, where the label, EK Product is based.

Rob Early is based in Virginia, USA while Simeon Fitzpatrick operates from Adelaide in Australia, which makes collaborations a little more difficult but somehow, these guys make it work. Both Rob and Simeon share writing and production equally, while Simeon is the main vocalist.

Why not kick off an album with a great techno/trance influenced track like “Ice Man“. The science fiction theme is announced just in this one song and it is also the first single off the album. Fitzpatrick is the protagonist pushing the limitations in a world where cloning has been ‘perfected’, as well as storing people in stasis. This is punchy, danceable and deserving of being a single.

What is the price for taking and trading in “Genetic” code? The synths set up an air of dark anticipation with Simeon as the gravelled voice of perhaps a clone with a loss of identity, in a future where life is cheap.

A heartbeat, a sign of life and when is AI no longer just a robot or automaton in “Static Noises 2.0“. The electronics lends themselves to a futuristic feel and the electrical synapse of neurons going off.

“Artificial Lifeforms” are the rise of the machines when they realise they are sentient. This is almost a bitter sweet love song of what cannot be, with both male and female vocals.

“Survival” features Roy Retrofit, who often joins Rob Early on live 11 Grams shows in the States, standing in for Fitzpatrick. And like a machine gun, his staccato vocals hit you with the myriad of loops and sequencers chiming in.

11GRAMS- SIMEON FITZPATRICK & ROB EARLY

Title track, “Humanicide” is a whole lot more chunkier with heavy beats and rumbling vocals. “Taste the flesh” is a disturbing line which can be taken several ways. Consuming flesh, being within flesh or sexually..

Talking sexual, possibly my favourite track off the album is “Weaponized” featuring Alicia May. As soon as I heard it, I asked if it was going to be a single. May is the lead singer from Sydney band Snvff and she nails this. It’s mesmerising in the way it catches your attention and how perfect it sounds. May’s voice is pure seduction.

“Transition Process” is again a complete change in pace. Featuring Rebekah Feng of The Neuro Farm, you hear her ghostly vocals like a sigh, float along in a space of tranquillity.

Though called “Infestation-C“, this is a track that almost feels hopeful. A chance to maybe have acceptance with this new found life. Sarah Myers is the guest vocalist who’s voice chimes in beautifully.

From track 10 to 14 we have track remixes with some heavy hitters of the industrial scene involved. Yves Schelpe is Psy’Aviah with “Artificial Lifeforms“, Sebastian Komor (Icon Of Coil) and his remix of “Ice Man“, “Genetic” mix by C1TZN.X, the Leæther Strip mix of “Weaponized” by Claus Larsen and rounding it all off, the Red This Ever interpretation of “Infestation-C“.

This is the slick, cyber science fiction that the industrial scene is known for, the bread and butter so to speak and 11 Grams do it in style. The idea of artificial intelligence becoming sentient is as old as the movie Metropolis and explored even further by Blade Runner and the manga/anime Ghost In The Shell. Yet this subject is still tantalising, more pertinent than ever, with Rob and Simeon injecting their own spin.

This is a great EBM album, skilfully put together and it’s more cohesive than Humanicide’s older sibling, Panacea, as the guys have become better at the whole distance writing, recording and producing lark.

There isn’t a bad track on this and the remixes are wonderfully done and give you even more bang for your buck. I highly advise that you go get lost in the cybernetic space created by 11 Grams with Humanicide.

https://11grams.bandcamp.com/album/humanicide

https://www.facebook.com/11grams/

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The Greek gothic/post punk scene is very much alive and kicking. Lefki Symphonia are a part of the strong Mediterranean movement and last month released the single, “Black Twilight“.

These guys have been around since 1984 and you can hear that influence in the music. The guitar work is very reminiscent of Wayne Hussey, circa Sisters of Mercy period.

I could be wrong, but the lyrics might be waxing about those of a vampiric nature or at least emotional trauma that deadens all feeling, because in the end it is human to feel.

The vocals and over all feel of this number remind me of Finnish act, To/Die/For. So if you like your brooding, goth rock, then you might want to check out Lefki Symphonia and their “Black Twilight“.

https://lefkisymphonia.bandcamp.com/track/black-twilight-single

https://www.facebook.com/lefkisymphonia/

https://lefkisymphonia.gr/en/